The Future of VoIP

As with any new technology, widespread adoption depends on a complex mix of market needs and market resources set against the new application's potential to transform the user experience. Customers must see the clear advantages of the new technology over their present systems; they must have financial incentive to adopt the new technology; and they must feel confident that it will make them more productive, save money, or fulfill other pressing business or personal requirements. More and more every day, VoIP is living up to these tough criteria. Still, as illustrated earlier, there are important issues that the industry must continue to address. The continual evolution of complementary standards and robust product offerings are just a few.

So where is the VoIP market today, and where is headed? Currently, the enterprise, in the form of corporate intranets and commercial extranets, holds the most immediate promise. VoIP is particularly attractive in these environments because IP-based infrastructures allow operators to decide who can and cannot use the network.